Gravity feed adapter for sheet metal containers



Sept. 8, 1953 E. c. HOBBS 2,

GRAVITY FEED ADAPTER FOR SHEET METAL CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ic/warJClf/ow ATTORNEY Sept. 8, 1953 E. c. HOBBS 2,651,440

GRAVITY FEED ADAPTER FOR SHEET METAL CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 8, 1953 E. c. HOBBS 2,651,440

GRAVITY FEED ADAPTER FOR SHEET METAL CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 5, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 LQ/ j 9 I INVENTOR .ZO wOrO C f/OZZJJ" ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 8, 1953 GRAVITY FEED ADAPTER Fort SHEET METAL CONTAINERS Edward C. Hobbs, Louisville, Ky., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application October 5, 1951, Serial No. 250,005

(Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

see. 266) 12 Claims.

The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to a portable container for liquids.

An important object of the invention is to provide an adapter for a container of the above class which enables the same to be used for supplying a liquid by gravity to a place of consumption.

An important object of the invention is to provide a gravity feed adapter for a sheet metal container of the general type shown in United States Patent No. 2,387,270.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gravity feed adapter of the above-mentioned character which is easy to install and manipulate, even by a person wearing gloves.

A further object is to provide an adapter including a cap or closure element for the dispensing opening of the container which is constructed to form a positive leakproof seal.

A further object is to provide an adapter which will assure proper placement of the vent tube of the container at all times.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a gravity feed adapter which is simplified and sturdy in construction, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a sheet metal can or container equipped with one form of gravity feed adapter embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary central vertical section taken on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 44 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a side elevation on a reduced scale of the container and adapter andshowing the vent tube of thecontainer, part broken away,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the container equipped with an adapter embodying a slight modification of the invention,

Figure '7 is a fragmentary plan view of the same,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the container equipped with an adapter embodying a further modification of the invention,

Figure 9 is a plan view of the same, Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the container equipped with an adapter embodying a still further modification of the invention,

Figure 11 is a transverse vertical section taken on line Ill| of Figure 10, and, V

Figure 12 is a similar section taken on line |2|2 of Figure '10. q p

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention is directed first to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, wherein the numeral l5 designates generally a 5 gallon sheet metal container or can of the type widely used by the military services for a variety of purposes such as refueling mechanized equipment in the field, storing fuel near the battle areas, and the like. The type of container referred to is shown generally by U. S. Patent l T o. 2,387,270. The container I5 is generally rectangular in horizontal cross section, and is provided at its top with three laterally spaced hand grips including horizontal bars or portions l6, connected at their rear ends with the top wall I! of the container. The top wall of the container is depressed or downwardly offset below the horizontal bars l6 for forming a fiat horizontal wall l8, to the forward portion of which are rigidly secured the lowermost ends of depending inclined extensions or legs IQ of the hand grips. An inclined wall or shelf 20 is formed at the top of the container l5, near the forward side of the same, and rigidly mounted centrally within the inclined wall 20 is an internally screw-threaded sleeve 2|, through which liquid fuel or the like is introduced into the container and poured therefrom.

In order that the container [5 may be turned upon its side and used to supply fuel by gravity to a fuel burner or like point of consumption, I provide an adapter 22, Figures 1 to 5, comprising an elongated substantially horizontal bar or lever 23 of steel or the like, arranged above the center hand grip or bar I8 and substantially parallel thereto. The lever 23 extends forwardly beyond the depending leg I9 of the center hand grip andis directed downwardly toward the inclined wall 20, for forming a curved depending lever extension 24, the lower extremity of which terminates near and above the screwthreaded bore of the sleeve 2|. At its rear end, the lever 23 is provided at its lower side with a transverse flat plate or foot 25, rigidly secured thereto, and the foot 25 engages the top wall of the sleeve 2 i.

I! of the container, as shown, to prevent the lever 23 from turning upon its longitudinal axis. Near the forward end of the lever 23, and inwardly of the depending extension 24, the lever carries a depending substantially C-shaped hook 26 having its upper side rigidly secured to the bar 23 by welding or the like. This hook 26 re ceives the central bar 16 within it, Figure 4, and forms therewith a fulcrum for the adapter 22.

The depending extension 24 is provided near its lower end with a transverse opening zl extending therethrough, and receiving 'a pin 23. The forwardmost end of the extension 24 has a fiat face or shoulder 29, parallel to the axis of the sleeve 2 i. A bottom fiat face 39 at the lowermost end of the extension 24 is perpendicular to the face 29. A block or bearing 3| is arranged adjacent to the lower end of the extension 24 and has its inner end slotted for forming spaced apertured knuckles 32, receiving therebetween the extension 24. The pin 28 extends through the apertures of the knuckles 32, as shown. The end Wall 32 of the slotengages the shoulder 29, Figure 3, and the block 3i is thereby held against pivotal movement upon the pin 28. The block 3! is inclined and parallel to the inclined wall 23 of the container. The block 3! has a screw-threaded opening 34 extending therethrough, in axialalignment with the screw-threaded bore of the sleeve 2!.

A straight cylindrical closure cap or plug 35 is provided, and has a loose fit within the core The cap 35 has an external annular flange 36, integral therewith, and provided upon its lower side with a compressible sealing gasket 31, permanently secured thereto, for forming a liquid-tight seal against a fiat annular flange 38, formed upon the container surrounding the screw-threaded bore of the sleeve 2:. Near one side of the cap 35, an upstanding U-shaped bracket 39 is rigidly secured thereto by welding or the like, and has its spaced opposed sides 40 arranged laterally outwardly of the knuckles 32, and slidably contacting the same. The bracket sides 49 have elongated slots 4i extending therethrough, and parallel to the axis of the screw-threaded opening 34. The slots 4| slidably receive the transverse pin '28, so that the bracket 39 is freely pivoted to the extension 24 by the pin 28.

An adjusting screw 42 engages within the screwthreaded opening 34 and extends above and below the block 3|, and is provided at its lower end with a spherically curved head 43, slidably engaging within a spherically curved recess 44 formed centrally in the top of the cap 35. The upper end of the adjusting screw 42 has a knurled knob 44' to facilitate turning the same.

The cap 35 is provided in its top with an inclined vent opening or port 45, which may also extend through the bottom of the bracket 39, Figure 3, so as to be open to the atmosphere. The vent port 45 leads into an enlarged screwthreaded opening 43, in the lower end of the cap 35, which receives a screw-threaded union coupling 41, connected with and carrying a straight inclined vent tube 48, having its lower end terminating near the opposite lower corner of the container l5, as shown in Figure 5.

The cap 35 is further provided in its top and diametrically opposite the vent port 45 with a screw-threaded opening 49, receiving a union coupling 59, having a suitable length of flexible tubing connected therewith, and adapted to extend to the burner or like consumption point to be fed by gravity from the container l5. -A bore or port 52 leads from the screw-threaded opening 49 through the inner end of the cap 35, and an enlarged shallow recess 53 may be formed in the inner end of the cap surrounding the bore 52, Figure 3. The recess 53 is preferably covered by a section of fine mesh copper cloth 54 or the like, which filters out any particles or foreign matter which may be contained in the liquid within the container, so that such foreign matter will not be fed to the burner, or the like.

In use, the container 45 may be taken from stock while filled with liquid fuel and the standard screw-threaded cap removed and replaced by my adapter 22. The cap is introduced into the bore of the sleeve 2i, wherein it has a loose fit, there being no screw-threaded connection between the cap and sleeve 2!. The arm 23 is swung into place above the center bar [5. The vent tube 48 is automatically positioned properly within the container l5, since the angle of the bore is such that when the cap 35 is in place,

the vent tube will be properly located without further adjustment. The adjusting screw 42 is now tightened for forcing cap 35 axially downwardly, so that the gasket 31 is compressed tightly against the flat flange 38 of the container. The cap 35 cannot rotate relative to the lever 23 or container, and the seal which is formed by the gasket 31' when the screw 34 is tightened is more positive than that which would be formed by a rotatable screw-threaded cap. Also, my arrange- 'ment is superior to a rotatable cap because of elimination of displacement of the vent tube 48 when the cap is rotated. It is therefore unnecessary to provide a swiveled connection between the vent tube and cap, as is necessary when the vent tube is carried by a screw-threaded cap.

As the screw 44 is tightened to force the cap against the flange 38, the upward reaction against the lever 23 is resisted by hook 26 forming the fulcrum, and the adapter 22 becomes tightly locked in place upon the container 45.

The container is now placed upon its side on a shelf or the like, and the fuel is fed by gravity to the desired location through the flexible tube 5|. The adapter 22 is readily removable from the container by simply loosening the adjusting screw 44, and disengaging the hook 25 from the bar 16. My adapter 22 is strong and durable, and may therefore be used indefinitely with the same or different containers l5.

If desired, the ports 45 and 52 may be omitted entirely, along with the vent tube 48 and flexible tube 5|. In such case the adapter 22 serves merely as a convenient quick-releasable closure for the container 15, rather than as a gravity feed adapter.

In Figures 6 and 7, I have shown a slight modification of the invention, wherein the block 3|, as a separate part is omitted, as is the U-shaped bracket 39. In place of the block 3 I, an integral extension 55 is formed upon the lower end of the extension 24, and extends parallel to the flange 38 and spaced above the same. The integral extension 55 has a screw-threaded opening '53 extending therethrough in coaxial relation to the sleeve 2|. The adjusting screw 42 has its head 43 engaging the spherically curved recess 44 in the top of the cylindrical cap 51, as in the first form of the invention.

Instead of thebra'cket 39, the cap 57 has formed upon its 'top an integral upstanding lug '58, arranged near-o'ne side of the'cap and below the extension 24. This lug 58 has a transverse openin extending therethrough, which receives a modification of the adapter comprises a substantially horizontal elongated straight lever or bar 64, arranged above and generally parallel to the central bar I6, and provided near its forward end with the depending hook 26, previously described. At its forward end,

links 6| extend upwardly adjacent to the opposite sides of the extension 24, and near their upper ends, the linkshave longitudinal slots 62 slidably receiving a second transverse rivet 63, which extends through a transverse opening formed in the curved extension 24 at substantially the location of the opening 21, in the first form of the invention. The links 6| thus form an adjustable pivotal connection between the cap 51 and lever 23. All other parts are identical with the corresponding parts shown and described in connection with the first form of the invention, and the use or operation of the device is substantially identical to that previously described in connection with 1 the first form of the invention.

In Figures 8 and 9, there is shown a further invention, wherein the the lever 64 has a depending inclined extension 65, integral therewith, and having its lower end "terminating near and above the center of the screw-threaded bore of the sleeve 2|.

The extension 65 has a transverse opening 66 'near'its lower end, receiving a pin 61, upon which spaced upstanding apertured lugs 63 of a cap 69 are pivotally mounted. The apertured lugs 68 are arranged on opposite sides of the extension 65,

and disposed at the center of the cap 69. 'The cap Y has free pivotal connection with the forward end of the adapter lever. All other parts of the cap,

' including the vent tube 48, flexible tube 5-! and associated elements are identical with the corresponding elements shown and described in connection with the prior forms of the invention.

At its rear end, the lever 64 has a substantially vertical screw-threaded opening extending therethrough, and receiving an adjusting screw l I, having a knurled knob 12, and a clamping foot or head 13, swivelly secured to its lower end, for clamping engagement against the top wall I! of 3 the container.

In view of the previous description, it is believed unnecessary to explain further the use or opera tion of the adapter, and it is sufficient to state that the cap 69 is tightened and loosened by turning the adjusting screw H.

' In Figures 10 to 12 inclusive, there is shown a still further modification of the invention wherein a lever 14 corresponding to the lever 64 has a forward depending extension 15, pivotally connected with the cap 69, which is the identical cap 6 '59 previously described.

Instead of the hook 26 previously described, the

' lever 14 is equipped with an adjustable fulcrum,

in the form of a bracket 76, provided in its lower face with a slot TI extending transversely therethrough and slidably receiving the lever 14. The bracket 16 is provided in one side with a vertically elongated slot 18, slidably receiving a stud or pin l9, anchored within the bar 14 and projecting beyond one side of the same. The bracket 16 has a screw-threaded opening 80 in its top, receiving an adjusting setscrew 8i, having a knurled knob tegrally secured to the lower end of the bracket I 16, at its side remote from the slot 18, Figure 11, and this hook I3 is engageable beneath the hand center bar l6, like the hook 26. The fulcrum bracket 16 is adjustable vertically with respect to the adapter bar 14. r

In order to quickly release the adapter shown in Figures 10 to 12, I provide a cam lever 84 which is inverted U-shaped in transverse cross section,

and includes a longitudinal handle portion 85, adapted to lie along the lever 14, as shown in Figure 10. The sides of the U-shaped cam lever straddle the side faces of the lever 14, when the cam lever is in the horizontal position shown in Figure 10. The bar 14 is provided near its rear end with a transverse opening 86, loosely receiving a rivet 81, or the like, upon which the cam lever 84 is mounted, Figure 12. The cam lever 84 has its opposite sides extended to form quick release cams 88, adjacent to the rear end of the lever 14, and having their marginal edges engaging the top wall 11 of the container. The cams 88 have gradually increasing radii, as. shown. The arrangement is such that when the cam lever 84 is in the position shown in Figure 10, the longer radius portions of the cams 88 cause the rear end of the bar 14 to be elevated for forcing the cap 69 into tight sealing engagement with the flange 38 of the container. When the cam lever 84 is swung counterclockwise, orelevated in Figure 10, the shorter radius portions of the cams '88 permit the rear end of the lever 14 to be lowered and the cap 69 is loosened or unseated, whereby the adapter may be readily removed from the container. The quick-release feature of this form of the invention is more desirable in some applications of the adapter than the constructions shown in the previous modifications, and'the adjustable fulcrum feature is sometimes desirable. In the. form of the invention shown in Figures 10 and 12,. the adjustable fulcrum feature may be omitted, if desired, and the fixed hook 26 may be employed as in the prior forms of the invention.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention, herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An adapter for a liquid container having a' discharge opening and a handle arranged near one side of the opening comprising a lever provided between its ends with a hook engageable beneath the handle for forming a fulcrum for the lever, one end of the lever being adapted to contact the container to resist turning of the lever in one direction about the fulcrum, the other end of the lever terminating near and outwardly of the discharge opening, a non-rotatable cap pivotally connected with the lever near its last-mentioned end and having a compressible gasket for engagement with the container around the discharge opening, and an adjusting screw connected with the lever and having one end bearing against the cap to force the cap into sealing engagement with the container, the cap having a discharge opening for dispensing liquid while the adapter is applied to the container.

2. Anadapter for a liquid container having a discharge opening and a handle arranged near the discharge opening comprising an elongated lever provided between its ends with a hook element engageable under the handle to form a fulcrum for'the lever, one end of the lever terminatin near and outwardly of th d scharge, opening, the other end of the lever beingadapted to engage the container to prevent movement of the first-named end of the lever away from the discharge opening, a block secured to the first-named end of the lever and having a screw-threaded opening substantially coaxial with the discharge opening, a closure cap. for the discharge opening and having a compressi-ble gasket for engagement with the corn tainer to form a liquid-tight seal about the discharge opening, a connecting element secured to the cap and having a slot, a pin carried by the opening comprising a lever arranged adjacent to. the handle and provided between its ends with a part engageable with the handle to form a, fulcrum for the lever, one end of the lever terminating near and outwardly of the discharge opening, a. non-rotatable closure cap for the discharge opening secured to said end of the lever and having a compressible gasket for forming a liquid-tight seal about the discharge opening, the other end of the lever extending over a. part of the container and being spaced from the container, and a second lever pivotally connected with the first-named lever near said other end of the first-named lever and having a cam part engaging the container for rocking the firstnamed lever in the direction causing the cap to move into sealing engagement with the container.

4. An adapter for a liquid container having a handle and an opening formed therein near the handle, said adapter comprising a bar arranged near the handle and having one end terminating near and outwardly of the opening and its other end terminating near and spaced from a wall of the container, an adjustable fulcrum bracket arranged between the ends of the bar and having an opening receiving the bar and a slot in one side thereof which extends transversely of the bar, an element secured to the bar and projecting beyond one side of the bar and into the slot of the fulcrum bracket, an adjusting setscrew having screw-threaded engagement with the fulcrum bracket and engaging a side of the bar normal to the slot, a generally L-shaped extension secured to the fulcrum bracket andextending beyond its side opposite the setscrew and engaging, the handle of the-container for forming a fulcrum, a non-rotatable closure cap secured to the endof the bar adjacent to the opening and having a compressible gasket for forming a liquid seal about the opening, and a cam lever pivotally secured to the bar near its other end and having a cam part engaging the container when the cam lever is turned in one direction and shifting the cap toward the opening of the container.

5. An adapter for a container having a dis charge opening and a handle arranged near the opening comprising a lever extending near the handle and provided between its ends with an element engaging the handle for forming a ful-,-

crum, one end of the lever extending near the discharge opening, a cap secured to said one end of the lever for covering the discharge open ing and having a compressible gasket for engagement with the container, the other end of the lever extending over a part of the container and being spaced therefrom, the lever being provided near said other end with a transverse screw-threaded opening, and an adjusting screw engaging within the screw-threaded opening and having an end engaging the adjacent part of the container, whereby tightening of the adjusting screw rocks the lever about the fulcrum and shifts the cap into sealing engagement with the container.

6. A gravity feed adapter for a liquid container having a discharge opening and a, handle extending generally radially of the opening comprising a lever arranged near the handle and substantially coextensive therewith andprovided between its ends with a hook element engageahle under the handle and forming afulcrum for the lever, one end of the lever extending near a part of the container wall and engageable therewith to resist pivoting of the lever in one direction, the other end of the lever terminating near and outwardly of the discharge opening and having a transverse screw-threaded opening substantially coaxial with the discharge opening, a closure cap for the discharge opening and having a compressible gasket enga-geable with the container surrounding the discharge opening to form a liquid-tight seal, a connecting link pivotally secured to the cap and having an elongated slot formed therein, the link extending adjacent to a side of the lever, a transverse pin carried by the lever and engaging in the slot of the link so that the cap is ad-- justably pivotally connected by the link to the lever, and an adjusting screw engagingwithin the screw-threaded opening of the lever and having an end bearing against the cap to force the same toward the discharge opening.

7. A gravity feed adapter for a liquid container having a discharge opening anda handle extending generally radially of the opening comprising a lever arranged near the handle and extending longitudinally thereof, a hook element secured to the lever between its ends and engageable with the handle and forming a fulcrum for the lever, one end of the lever extending adjacent to a part of the container wall, a foot plate secured to the lever near said one end and engaging said part of the container wall to prevent the lever from pivoting about the fulcrum in one direction and from turning upon its longitudinal axis, the other end of the lever terminating near the discharge opening,v the lever having a transverse opening near said other end, a block arranged at said other end of the lever and having a screw-threaded opening arranged substantially in axial alignment with the discharge opening, the block having a slot receiving said other end of the lever, a transverse pin extending through the opening of the lever and block and securing the block to the lever, a closure cap for the discharge opening and having a compressible gasket for engagement with the container to form a liquid-tight seal about the discharge opening, a bracket mounted upon the closure cap and having a slotted part extending adjacent to a side of the block and receiving the transverse pin so that the cap is adjustably pivotally connected to the, lever, and an adjusting screw engaging within, the

screw-threaded opening of the block and having an end bearing against the cap to force the same toward the discharge opening.

8. An adapter for a container having a discharge opening and a handle arranged near the opening comprising a lever extending near the handle and rockably connected between its ends with the handle for forming therewith a fulcrum, one end of the lever extending over the discharge opening, a cap secured to said one end of the lever for covering the discharge opening, the other end of the lever extending over a part of the container and being spaced therefrom, and an adjustable member connected with the lever near said other end and adapted to bear against the exterior of the container, whereby movement of the adjustable member in one direction rocks the lever about the fulcrum and shifts the cap toward the discharge opening.

9. A gravity feed adapter for a liquid container having a discharge opening and a handle arranged near the discharge opening comprising a lever arranged near the handle and provided between its ends with an element engaging the handle to form therewith a fulcrum, one end of the lever extending adjacent to a part of the container and engaging such part to resist pivoting of the lever about the fulcrum in one direction, the other end of the lever extending over the discharge opening, a non-rotatable cap connected with the lever near its last-mentioned end and having a compressible gasket to form a liquidtight seal around the discharge opening, the cap having a discharge opening extending therethrough and a separate vent opening, a vent tube connected with the cap and communicating with the vent opening and adapted to extend into the container when the adapter is mounted upon the container, and adjustable screw-threaded means connected with the lever and cap for urging the cap toward the discharge opening of the container.

10. A gravity feed adapter for a liquid container having a discharge opening and a handle extending generally radially of the discharge opening comprising a rigid lever extendin longitudinally of the handle, an element secured to the lever between its ends and engaging the handle and forming therewith a fulcrum for the lever, one end of the lever terminating adjacent municating with the interior of the container and a separate vent opening, and adjustable means connected with the lever for causing the same to rock longitudinally about its fulcrum in one direction and urging the closure cap into engagement with the exterior of the container.

11. A gravity feed adapter for a liquid container having a discharge opening and a handle extending beyond a side of the discharge opening comprising a rigid lever extending longitudinally of the handle, a hook element secured to the lever between its ends and engaging about the handle to form therewith a fulcrum for the lever, one end of the lever terminating adjacent to the discharge opening of the container and disposed exteriorly thereof, a non-rotatable closure cap pivotally secured to the lever near said one end of the lever and adapted to engage the exterior of the container around said discharge opening for sealing the discharge opening, the closure cap having a dispensing opening formed therein and a separate vent opening, and adjustable means connected with the lever for urging the closure cap into sealing engagement with the exterior of the container when the lever rocks about said hook element forming the fulcrum in one direction.

12. A gravity feed adapter for a liquid container having a discharge opening and a handle extending generally radially of the discharge opening comprising a substantially rigid lever extending longitudinally of the handle and arranged near the handle, an element secured to the lever between its ends and engaging the handle to form therewith a fulcrum for the lever, one end of the lever terminatin opposite the discharge opening of the container and exteriorly thereof, a non-rotatable closure cap pivotally secured to said one end of the lever and adapted to engage the exterior of the container around the discharge opening for covering the opening, the closure cap having a dispensing openin formed therein communicating with the interior of the container, and a member having screwthreaded engagement with the lever and adjustable for causing the lever to rock longitudinally in one direction about its fulcrum and thereby forcing the closure cap into engagement with the exterior of the container.

EDWARD C. HOBBS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,099,292 Brown Nov. 16, 1937 2,364,206 Gardes Dec. 5, 1944 2,542,435 Russell Feb. 20, 1951 2,570,993 Turner Oct. 9, 1951 

